Palace sees improved ties with Davao bishop-led CBCP

MANILA, Philippines -  Malacañang is looking forward to having a “more open” dialogue and cooperation with the Church with the election of Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). 

Valles, a friend of President Duterte, was elected president of the bishops’ collegial body last Saturday during its 115th plenary assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

Valles will replace Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas. The CBCP under Villegas has been critical of the government’s bloody crackdown on illegal drugs. Villegas’ term will expire on Nov. 30. 

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the election of the Davao archbishop “signals a new day of peace for a multi-cultural Philippines.”

“Our warm congratulations to Archbishop Valles as he leads the Catholic faithful in the country, toward developing a deeper spiritual life and for the Church to have a more open dialogue and cooperation with the government, especially in working for the poor and the marginalized,” Abella said in a statement. 

“His familiarity with Davao and Mindanao would augur well for the country as we promote interfaith dialogue and intercultural understanding as part of our efforts to rebuild Marawi and to transform Mindanao into a land of fulfillment,” he added.

The Roman Catholic Church and Duterte have been at odds over several issues, including the revival of death penalty and the iron fist approach to the war on drugs. 

The Church has criticized the spate of deaths linked to the war on narcotics, believing the killing of drug suspects will not solve the problem.

Duterte responded by badmouthing the Church and accusing members of the clergy of hypocrisy. He also accused members of the clergy of not doing anything to solve the drug menace even if some Catholic parishes have instituted various programs for former addicts. 

While Duterte does not hesitate to curse at clergymen critical of him, he seems to have a soft spot for Valles.

In a speech in Tacloban City last Jan. 25, Duterte admitted that he was admonished by Valles for his habitual swearing.

“Bishop Valles in Davao is a businessman. Every time I curse, he asked me to pay P100. I just keep on paying…I said ‘Father don’t...,’ he said ‘That was meant to discipline you.’ My bishop made a business out of me,” the President said in jest. 

Valles was also present when Duterte apologized for cursing at Pope Francis two years ago. Duterte called the Pope “son of a whore” for causing a traffic jam during his historic visit to the Philippines in January 2015.

The Davao archbishop also baptized Mark Digong, Duterte’s youngest grandson and son of presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.  

‘Friendly sharing of ideas’ with Duterte

In an interview with reporters in Davao City on June 18, 2016, Valles said he and Duterte have a “very okay” relationship. 

Valles was interviewed weeks after Duterte called the Catholic Church “the most hypocritical institution” for its supposed failure to correct the wrongdoings of some prelates.

Asked what would be the best way to engage with Duterte, Valles replied: “I have difficulty describing… I’m just coming from Davao and having observed him, I don’t have that fear… But I would say, it seems that friendly sharing of ideas would be good.” 

“I have not thought of that area, but just offhand, to think of myself also as a sinner, as a friend, like a friend-sinner, that we would journey together,” he added. 

Pressed if he thinks the relationship between the Church and Duterte would improve, Valles said: “I am always hopeful because, with me, I think he considers me as somebody (who is) friendly, his friend… Just like that. I’m just a simple archbishop of Davao.”      – With Edu Punay